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Former Assemblyman Louis Manzo hates it when people say he "beat the rap."
"I didn't beat the rap; I was found not guilty," he said. "Beating the rap implies I got away with something. But I didn't do anything wrong in the first place."
Seated in the Broadway Diner on an early spring day, Manzo has come back to his old haunt to promote his recently published book: "Ruthless Ambition: The Rise and Fall of Chris Christie."
Manzo was found not guilty last year of charges which were part of 2009's Operation Bid Rig III, in which over 40 politicians and religious figures were arrested in an FBI sting. The government used Solomon Dwek, a Central Jersey businessman who faced fraud charges, to offer local officials campaign donations in exchange for political favors. The sting resulted in the convictions or guilty pleas from nearly a dozen Hudson County residents.
In July of 2009, Manzo was arrested, accused of taking $20,000 to allegedly help Dwek, who was posing as a developer, get a fictional project approved. No longer a public official when the FBI arrested him, Manzo had just lost an election to become mayor of Jersey City.
Some of his charges were dismissed because they applied only to an elected official. But Manzo believes federal authorities were so bent on getting him that they continued to add charges, even after the judge in the case said they were often not relevant.
"Eventually the judge decided he would focus on federal misconduct in the case," Manzo said. "That's when the U.S. Attorney decided not to continue."
But exoneration came with a heavy price. Manzo lost home, job and savings, and has since taken up residence at a family property in Central Jersey. But it's his reputation that suffered most.
"When you Google, my being acquitted doesn't come up first," he said.
From the beginning, Manzo's legal team contended that the charges were part of a conspiracy by some members of the U.S. Attorney's office to get Gov. Christopher Christie elected governor, something Christie's office denies. The Republican governor had been the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey at the launch of the investigation, and many of the people who were involved with it have moved on to work under him when he was elected governor in November 2009. Almost all of the politicians arrested in the sting were Democrats.
The possible conspiracy is a theme Manzo pursues with documentation in his book.
A book at the right time
A lot has happened since Manzo's acquittal. His book arrives for sale at a time when Christie is under scrutiny for a number of interrelated events, such as the mysterious closing of lanes on the George Washington Bridge last September. Some have alleged that the lane closures were political retaliation because the mayor of Fort Lee did not endorse Christie for re-election. The Christie administration has also come under fire for allegedly tying relief aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy to development projects associated with friends of Christie.
"I open the book with Bridgegate," Manzo said. "This is all part of the same pattern."
The book not only explores how the sting operation came together under Christie for the alleged purpose of advancing Christie's political career, but also how this was part of a long-established pattern of behavior that goes back to when Christie first ran for public office.
"This book began when I was charged," he said. "I've spent five years putting it together."
Manzo said the book also explores how someone like Christie could become a viable potential candidate for president of the United States, and deals with Christie's rise to power and his eventual topple into multiple scandals and investigations.
In some ways, Manzo's effort was helped by the previously published "Jersey Sting," a nonfiction book written by two reporters, which opened the door to records that might not otherwise have been available.
"That book told the story from the prosecutor's point of view," Manzo said. "My book covers other sides they did not."
He said the book tries to make the case that Bid Rig III, serving as a political tool to get Christie elected, often allegedly violated the very principles of justice that Christie and others in the U.S. Attorney's Office took oaths to uphold.
At a time when every aspect of Christie's career is under scrutiny, Manzo's book becomes a kind of road map for others to follow.
Some have criticized the Bid Rig investigation because certain elected officials who were caught on tape did not explicitly state they were taking campaign donations in exchange for giving Dwek development help. Other people say the sting smacked of entrapment.
Manzo said it all along
Bent on exposing what he called a misuse of the justice system, Manzo isn't jumping on any bandwagon, but has been out front of everyone else.
"I've been doing this since the day I was charged," he said, noting that the public and media have finally come to realize that they were taken in by the Christie persona.
In many ways, Manzo is putting Christie and the U.S. Justice Department on trial, assembling documentation to prove his case beyond just his innocence, but to show that there may be legitimate misuse of power in bringing the case against him and many other defendants in Bid Rig III.
"Innocent people were prosecuted along with the guilty," he said, noting it was only his financial resources and his determination that allowed him to win his case.
The book shows a step by step process in which Christie allegedly steered the system of justice to his own ends.
"What I wanted to do in this book was show readers that Bridgegate wasn't something that just happened, but was foreshadowed by other things," Manzo said. "This is what Christie's whole life has been about."
Manzo isn't bitter at the American justice system; in fact, he believes the system saved him. He had a judge that listened, and saw the misuse that was allegedly being perpetrated.
"This was not something Washington knew anything about," Manzo said. "Washington was told this was about corruption; no one ever told them that Bid Rig III was about Christie's election."
This is not the first book Manzo has written, nor will it be the last. He is already polishing up a novel, and hopes that he can transform his personal ordeal into success as a writer.
But his book on Christie may well be his best read, since it comes right in the middle of Bridgegate and other questions. Manzo's book offers support to people such as Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who have also raised concerns about the Christie administration.
"This book is about setting the record straight," Manzo said. "I told people five years ago that there was a problem. Now other people are finally realizing there is."
To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Al Sullivan may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Team:University College London
From 2012.igem.org
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Welcome to the UCL entry for iGEM 2012.
UCL iGEM proposes a synthetic biology approach for the bioremediation of micro-plastic pollutants within the marine environment, with emphasis on regions of excessive debris accumulation, such as the North Pacific 'garbage patch'.
We intend to engineer enhanced adhesive properties in Escherichia coli and marine bacteria Roseobacter denitrifican and Oceanibulbus indolifex, of the Roseobacter clade. To alter the composition and dynamics of resultant biofilms for the adhesion of micro-plastic pollutants, with an extended vision of creating mass aggregates, or 'Plastic Islands'.
We will attempt to demonstrate micro-plastic particle aggregation and several additional genetic components, including plastic degradation, salinity/osmotic tolerance in E. coli, bacterial buoyancy and novel active biological containment strategies, for an integrative approach to marine bioremediation.
Update: Read about Plastic Republic on Wired, DVICE and Smithsonian!
Plastic Republic - Constructing An Island From Microplastic Waste
Turning a Global Problem into a Valuable Resource: We Aim to Engineer Bacteria to Aggregate Tonnes of Microplastic Pollution into 'Plastic Islands', in order to Reclaim Plastic for Re-Use.
Take a look at our fundraising video and become a supporter of our project!
After months of planning, we are now rallying to construct a 'plastic island' using the principles of synthetic biology. In so doing we hope to provide a solution to one of the world's major environmental problems – the North Pacific Garbage Patch.
The North Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest of many garbage patches identified around the world. The waste from these patches enters the digestive systems of resident organisms, which are affected either by the physical size of the plastic, or its toxicity from adsorbing organic pollutants.
We saw the merits of using synthetic biology to overcome this problem, especially as conventional methods cannot target the majority of the waste - microplastics. By 'synthesising' a new strain of bacteria, capable of detecting, aggregating, and buoying these elusive microplastics, we aim to construct 'Plastic Islands' for
- Removal and Re-use
- Construction of a 'Plastic Republic'
Please visit our Research page for more background and details on the above, and our Human Practice page page for how we aim to encourage outside involvement in this project.
Maybe, we'll see you on Plastic Republic for 2030.
With thanks to our main sponsor:

subset: commoncrawl


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NEW YORK (AP) — Former Mayor Ed Koch has been moved to intensive care for closer monitoring of the fluid in his lungs and legs, his spokesman said Thursday. Koch's cardiologist wanted to keep a closer eye on the 88-year-old, who was also showing an iron deficiency, spokesman George Arzt said. Koch was readmitted to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital on Monday with shortness of breath. He had been released two days earlier after being treated for water in his lungs and legs. He had initially been admitted on Jan. 19. His hospitalization follows two other ones in recent months. In December, he was admitted with a respiratory infection. The former mayor was also hospitalized in September after feeling weak while staying with friends in North Carolina. He was treated for anemia, was released after three days and said he planned to head straight to his office at a law firm. In 2009, Koch spent five weeks at the hospital, undergoing a quadruple bypass in June and gallbladder surgery in July. Koch was mayor for three terms, from 1978 through 1989, and is credited with saving the city from near-financial ruin. His trademark question to residents was, "How'm I doing?"
Ed Koch, former NYC mayor, moved to hospital's Intensive Care Unit
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Casino cash missing from atop money truck
Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY – Nearly $21,000 is missing after the cash fell from the roof of an armored truck that had picked it up from a soon-to-be-closed Atlantic City casino.
GardaWorld armored car services picked up the cash at Revel on Aug. 6.
An incident report obtained by The Press of Atlantic City says surveillance video showed the bag holding the cash on the rear driver's side roof as the truck left Revel. The bag was still on the roof when the truck pulled away from nearby Resorts Casino Hotel.
It's not clear where the bag fell off.
GardaWorld spokesman Joe Gavaghan says the company is investigating and cooperating with law enforcement.
Revel will close its hotel on Sept. 1 and its casino on Sept. 2 because of financial problems.


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Jeb Bush
Soul Urge (Heart Desire) Number 8
" You focus on the things that you can control, and that's what I'm doing."
Jeb Bush is an American businessman and politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida (1999 to 2007) and is the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and a younger brother of former President George W. Bush.
He was born on Wednesday February 11th 1953, in Midland, Texas, United States.
Jeb Bush wants success in its fullest meaning - wealth, power, and material comforts. He has an enormous ambition. Jeb dreams of big projects, great undertakings, and rewards.
Bush is a visionary. He sees the horizon and the promise. In general, Jeb Bush also sees the methods necessary to fulfill that promise. But he is not especially good with details; Jeb needs others to help him deal with the smaller parts of the picture. His challenge is to make full use of the full spectrum of his abilities, as indicated by his other core numbers. In the same way, Bush must bring forth the best from others and orchestrate their talents toward the realization of his vision. In short, Jeb Bush must lead by example, demonstrating the standard for commitment, determination, and excellence.
All of this requires effort on Jeb Bush's part. He will meet with obstacles and difficulties. His determination and commitment will be tested. But Jeb has the power to overcome every obstacle he faces and accomplish the goal he has set for himself.
Jeb's task in life is to learn to use power in refined and elevated ways. The expression and use of power is directly related to One's personal evolution. The more primitive uses of power rest with violence and the threat of deprivation. The higher expressions depend upon Bush's capacity to care for and nourish the people and projects in his charge, giving each exactly what is needed at the appropriate time and in appropriate amounts.
Jeb Bush has a creative mind and an unusual approach to business and problem-solving. He needs, however to cultivate his ability to evaluate others.
It is essential for Jeb to be involved in a project that challenges him and offers the potential for rewards. When he is uninvolved or unoccupied with a worthwhile task, Bush can become deeply despondent, depressed, and frustrated. Jeb Bush is the perfect example of the old cliche, "Idle hands are the devils workshop." Without a challenge, he can lose balance in life and become selfish, cruel, and even self-destructive. Disappointments become shattering, causing terrible consequences in self-image and self-love.
Perspective is everything for Jeb Bush. He has a natural talent for balancing the spiritual and material planes.
Jeb needs to cultivate courage and stamina. Courage is a choice. Jeb Bush needs to decide to be brave in the face of fear. A balanced 8 is among the most powerful and satisfying of numbers. It is the spirit of the true survivor, able to bounce back and achieve a greater victory.
You and Jeb
About Jeb's Soul Urge (Heart's Desire) number
Jeb Bush's Soul Urge number represents his inner self. The Soul Urge number, also called Heart's Desire, shows Jeb's underlying urge - his true motivation.
It reveals the general intention behind many of Bush's actions. Consequently, it dramatically influences the choices Jeb Bush makes in life.
Read more about our interpretation of Jeb Bush's soul urge (heart's desire)


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Frank Ocean misses out on the Grammys big prize while fun. and Mumford & Sons triumph
Frank Ocean, widely expected to take home the best new artist award, lost the prize. However, Frank Ocean did take home the best urban contemporary album award, while the Black Keys were big winners with four trophies altogether and Mumford & Sons took home the best album of the year prize.
The Grammys spread the love.
Fun., whose anthemic and semi-dark jam "We Are Young" dominated the charts in 2012, won song of the year. Gotye's massive and oddball pop hit, "Somebody I Used to Know," picked up record of the year. And folk-rockers Mumford & Sons won album of the year for their platinum-selling "Babel."
Fun. also won best new artist, besting Frank Ocean in an upset.
The recording academy had a clear message at its 55th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night: There are a lot of top acts today with both mainstream appeal and an edge to their music, and the academy was happy to reward them all.
"One after the other, it was like, 'And the Black Keys...,' so I think we just sort of resigned ourselves to like, last year was Adele's year and this year would be the Black Keys," said lead singer Marcus Mumford, who thought his band would lose album of the year to the Black Keys.
Then Mumford added in a loud scream once he learned they won: "It's (expletive) awesome!"
Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, the night's big winner with four trophies, was one of six acts with the most nominations – six each. He won non-classical producer of the year, while the Black Keys earned the best rock album, song and performance honors.
"Thank you to our families and everybody in Akron, Ohio, and everybody in Nashville," the band's drummer, Patrick Carney, said.
The Black Keys dominated the rock category, while Jay-Z and Kanye West did the same in the rap area. But the pop, country and R&B categories were a reflection of the top four honors, with no single act dominating. Winners in those categories ranged from Adele to Paul McCartney, Carrie Underwood to the Zac Brown Band, and Usher to Miguel.
Ocean, Mumford & Sons, Jay-Z, Kanye West and fun. were also the top nominees of the night, and they won multiple Grammys.
But Ocean – who was anticipated to win best new artist – won two trophies and was restricted to the urban categories. It was another year the Grammys dissed a rap or R&B artist from the top awards. Last year, West lost in an upset and in 2011 it was Eminem.
Ocean's official studio debut, "channel ORANGE," did win best urban contemporary album. He also won best rap/sung collaboration for "No Church In the Wild" with West, Jay-Z and The-Dream.
But the R&B singer released one of the year's most critically revered albums last year, which made several best-of-the-year lists. He also made headlines when he revealed his first love was a man shortly before the album's release.
Ocean's loss to fun. for best new artist was a shock, but the band's win was understood. The pop-rock trio had two of the year's biggest hits with "We Are Young" and "Some Nights." Their sophomore album, "Some Nights," is also near-platinum.
"Making music for 12 years — you don't think you'll get Grammy-nominated," lead singer Nate Ruess said backstage. "Radio and mainstream just kind of picked up on (us) and it feels good for us after 12 years of people kind of just ignoring you and always feeling like you're kind of the bridesmaid."
Like fun., Gotye had a monstrous hit with the Kimbra-assisted "Somebody that I Used to Know," and it won record of the year and best pop duo/group collaboration. His album, "Making Mirrors," won best alternative music album.
Gotye's three wins were joined by Black Keys, West, Jay-Z and Skrillex, who picked up the same trophies he won last year.
"You know what, I thought I'd get used to it, but I tripped over every word when I was up there. I felt like I just wanted a pool of ice water and just couldn't even breathe or think," said the electronic-DJ, who won best dance recording, dance/electronica album and remixed recording. "It was crazy. I think it was even crazier than last year."
Double winners included Ocean, fun., Mumford & Sons, Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding and Matt Redman.
The various winners of the night were hard to predict. Mumford & Sons won album of the year, though the band lost best Americana album to Bonnie Raitt. And fun. won song of the year and best new artist, but lost best pop vocal album to Kelly Clarkson.
The performances – like usual – was also a reflection of diversity in music: Taylor Swift opened with her pop smash "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and Miguel sang his R&B hit "Adorn" onstage and off of it.
The night's most memorable performance was the tribute to Levon Helm, which featured Elton John, Mumford & Sons, T Bone Burnett and the raspy vocals of Mavis Staples and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes.
They earned a standing ovation. Jack White, who was nominated for the album of the year, was also well-received Sunday night.
Justin Timberlake made a return to the Grammy stage, performing his new hit "Suit & Tie" and a new song, the falsetto-heavy "Push Your Love Girl." Jay-Z joined the pop star onstage, and there were more collaborations like it throughout the night.
Alicia Keys joined Maroon 5, Miranda Lambert sang with Dierks Bentley, and Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Sting paid tribute to Bob Marley. They were joined by Damian and Ziggy Marley. The crowd sang along during "Could You Be Loved."
Adele, who was last year's big winner with six trophies, won best pop performance for "Set Fire to the Rain (Live)." She said backstage that she's enjoying motherhood and is at the beginning stages of recording her next album.
"I've been up since 6 a.m. so I'm quite tired. But it's nice, I haven't been as stressed out," she said. "You kind of have to prioritize what you stress about and worry about when you have a child."


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|Size S
Size M
Size L
|length 37cm/14.56in; waist 68cm/26.7in; hips 86cm/33.8in
length 38cm/14.96in; waist 72cm/28.3in; hips 90cm/35.4in
length 39cm/15.3in; waist 76cm/29.92in; hips 94cm/37in
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